Method of erecting prefabricated panels



Feb. 22, 1966 N R, TOFFOLQN 3,236,020

METHOD OF ERECTING PREFABRICATED PANELS Original Filed Dec. '7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. NORMAN R. TOFFOLON BY 7 Wad WW7 f M ATTOR N EYS N. R. TOFFOLON METHOD OF ERECTING PREFABRICATED PANELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 22, 1966 Original Fiied Dec. '7, 1962 Feb. 22, 1966 N. R. TOFFOLON 3,235,020

METHOD OF ERECTING PREFABRICATED PANELS Original Filed Dec. 7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 2 Claims. (31. 52-745 This invention relates to a method of erecting prefabricated panels, large open frames, and like structures. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 242,961, filed December 7, 1962, for Erection Method and Apparatus.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a method for erecting prefabricated panels or the like whereby the panels can be erected with speed and facility and in the absence of power driven equipment.

The drawings show a preferred method and such method will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made in the method disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pair of erected panels and a second pair of panels in position for erection.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a panel and an erection apparatus employed in practicing the method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of a pair of opposing panels in position for erection and also shows first and second erection apparatus usable in practicing the method of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a further end elevation showing a first panel and a portion of a second in erected position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 5-5 in FIG. 4 and illustrates the method of connecting inner and upper portions of adjacent erected panels.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 66 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 7--7 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken generally as indicated at 8-8 in FIG. 7. 7

Generally speaking, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of arranging the inner end portions of a pair of opposing panels in prone outer-face-up and overlapping relationship. The outer end portions of the said panels are aligned respectively with and immediately adjacent the desired erected positions of the said end portions. First and second panel erection apparatus are provided and each apparatus comprises a beam member which is engageable at a lower end portion with an outer end portion of a panel and which extends upwardly from the panel when so engaged. Each erection apparatus also comprises a connecting means which is secured at one end portion to the beam in spaced relationship with an engaged panel and which is connectible at an opposite end portion with the panel. The erection apparatus are engaged respectively with the opposing panels and the outer end portion of one beam member is moved arcuately in a direction away from and downwardly with respect to its corresponding panel while the lower end portion of the beam is maintained in engagement with the panel. In this manner, the panel is pivotally lifted about its outer end portion and is brought to the erected position. The second erection apparatus is then manipulated in a similar manner whereby to erect the second or opposing panel and to bring the inner end portions of the panels into adjacent raised relationship. The said inner end portions of the panels are then connected whereupon the panels are self-supporting to form a portion of a building. In the exercise of the method of the invention, it is to be observed that the beam members provide a mechanical advantage whereby manually exerted forces are effective to raise and erect the panels quickly and with facility and power driven equipment is rendered nonessential.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that left and right-hand panels L and R are shown in erected position in FIG. 1. Left and righthand panels L and R of a second pair of opposing panels are shown in a prone position wherein they are arranged in accordance with the invention for erection. The erected panels L and R have inner end portions 10 and 12 respectively which are in raised adjacent relationship and which are connected together as will be described. Outer end portions 14 and 16 of said panels are disposed respectively on left and right-hand sill or foundation members 18 and 20. The sill or foundation members 18 and 20 may vary substantially in form and an illustrative embodiment thereof will be set forth hereinbelow.

As stated, the panels L and R are arranged in accordance with the method of the invention for erection. In such position, inner end portions 22, 24 of the panels are arranged in overlapping relationship and in prone outer-face-up attitudes. Outer end portions 26, 28of the panels L and R are arranged respectively in alignment with and immediately adjacent the desired erected positions of said end portions, i.e., the sills or foundations 18, 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be observed that an illustrative erection apparatus 30 comprises a lower bearing member 32 which is adapted for engagement with and along an end edge portion 34 of a panel such as the panel R The bearing member 32 more particularly takes a generally L-shaped form in cross section and is engageable with contiguous generally right angularly related surfaces extending along and adjacent the said end edge 34 of the panel R Connected with and extending upwardly and generally angularly outwardly from the bearing member 32 and the panel R is a beam member 36 of the erection apparatus. The said beam member is shown as comprising a pair of bracketed together wood structural members but obviously other forms of the beam fall within the scope of the invention. The lower end portion of the beam 36 is connected with the bearing member 32 by means of suitable bolts or the like and an extension 38 arranged approximately at the center of said bearing member.

Bracing means are preferably associated with the beam 36 and the bearing member 32 and said means may comprise first and second flexible members 40, 42 connected with the beam member 36 by means of a bracket 44 in spaced relationship with the bearing member 32. Lower end portions of the bracing members 40, 42 are connected respectively at opposite ends of the bearing member 32 whereby to brace the same and to prevent pivotal movement thereof about the end of the beam member.

At its outer or upper end portion the beam member 36 has attached thereto and depending therefrom a member 46 which is preferably flexible as shown and may comprise a light cable or a sturdy hemp rope.

A connecting means comprising a rope or flexible cable member having strands 48, 50 is also preferably provided. Strands 48, 50 of the rope or flexible cable member are connected at upper end portions with the beam 36 in spaced relation-ship with its said lower end portion and preferably about half way up said beam as illus- 3 trated in FIG. 3. A bracket 52 may be employed for such connection.

At the lower end portion of the strands 48 and 50, a spreader member 54 is preferably provided as shown. The spreader member 54 has opposite end portions thereof connected with the strands 48 and 50 whereby to maintain the said strands at least approximately in position for attachment to a panel such as the panel R Attachment of the strands to the panel may be effected as by means of eye bolts 56, 58. Obviously, attachment of the strands 48 and 50 with the panel R must be effected in spaced relationship with the bearing member 32 in order to provide the desired mechanical advantage. The location of such attachment may of course vary with different panels but as shown, attachment may be effected at slightly less than one-third of the distance along the panel viewed from outer to inner end portions.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 and returning to a consideration of the method of the invention, it will be observed that illustrative left and right-hand erection apparatus 30L and 30R can be respectively engaged with a pair of prone panels L and R arranged as described for FIG. 1. With the apparatus so connected, one of said apparatus may be manipulated, as for example the righthand apparatus 30R in FIG. 3, to erect the corresponding panel R The rope or cable 46 of the apparatus 30R may be grasped and pulled downwardly by workmen as indicated in FIG. 3 whereby to swing the upper end portion of the beam 36 arcuately downwardly and outwardly away from the panel R and to erect the panel as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thereafter, the left-hand panel L may be raised to its erected position by similar manipulation of the left-hand apparatus 30L. When the panels L and R have been raised to erect positions as illustrated in FIG. 4, their inner end portions 22, 24 may be brought together and connected whereby to provide a self-supporting portion of a building.

It will be noted in FIG. 4 that a workman 60 has a cable or rope 62 attached to the right-hand panel R Attachment may be by means of an eye bolt such as 64 shown in FIG. 5 and advantage may be thus obtained in aligning the inner end portions of the panels for connection with each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be observed that the panels L and R have end beam s or structural members 66, 68. When said panels are brought together as shown in FIG. 4, the said beams or structural members are in engagement with each other. Obviously, the beams may be secured together whereby to secure the panels together by means of suitable bolts 70, 70 and brackets 72, 72. Similarly, adjacent panels such as L and R in FIG. 5 can be bolted to the first erected panels as by means of bolts 74, 74.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be observed that the sill or foundation 20 may comprise a concrete member including upstanding imbedded bolts 76, 76. Each panel such as the panel R may include a base beam 78 provided with an elongated bolt receiving opening 80. Brackets 82, 82 may also be employed to provide for additional security of the panel-to-sill connection. As will be apparent, the bolt 76 may be entered in the openings 80, 80 in the base beams 78 as the panels are erected. On erection of the panels the connection may be completed by use of nuts such as 84 engageable with the bolts 76 and the brackets 82. Interconnection of adjacent panels such as R R in FIG. 7 may be eflfected by means of suitable bolts and brackets such as 86, '86 and 88, 88.

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for erecting a prefabricated panel or the like comprising the steps of arranging the panel in a prone position with its outer surface facing upwardly and with one end portion thereof aligned with and immediately adjacent the desired erected position of the said end portion, providing a panel erection apparatus comprising a beam member engageable at a lower end portion with said one end portion of the panel so as to extend upwardly therefrom and also comprising connecting means secured at one end portion to the beam in spaced relationship with said lower end portion thereof and connectible at an opposite end portion with an engaged panel, attaching said opposite end portion of said connecting means with the upper surface of the engaged panel in spaced relationship with the lower end portion of the beam, and moving an upper end portion of said beam member arcuately in a direction away from and downwardly with respect to the panel while maintaining its said lower end portion in engagement with the panel whereby to pivotally lift the panel about its said one end portion and to erect the same.

2. A method for erecting prefabricated panels or the like comprising the steps of arranging inner end portions of a pair of opposing panels in prone outer face up and overlapping relationship, arranging the outer end portions of said panels respectively in alignment with and immediately adjacent the desired erected positions of the said end portions, providing first and second panel erection apparatus each comprising a beam member engageable at a lower end portion with an outer end portion of a panel so as to extend upwardly therefrom and each also comprising connecting means secured at one end portion to the beam in spaced relationship with an engaged panel and connectible at an opposite end portion with such a panel, engaging said beam members of said first and second apparatus respectively with the outer end portions of said opposing panels, attaching said opposite end portions of said connecting means respectively with said panels in spaced relationship with said lower end portions of said beams, moving an upper end portion of said first beam member arcuately in a direction away from and downwardly with respect to the corresponding panel while maintaining said lower end portion of the beam in engagement with the panel whereby to pivotally lift the panel about its outer end portion and to erect the same, mo'ving an upper end portion of said second beam member arcuately in a direction away from and downwardly with respect to the corresponding panel while maintaining said lower end portion of the beam in engagement with the panel whereby to pivotally lift the panel about its outer end portion and to erect the same with its inner end portion adjacent the inner end portion of said opposing panel, and connecting said inner end portions of said opposing panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD FOR ERECTING A PREFABRICATED PANEL OR THE LIKE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF ARRANGING THE PANEL IN A PRONE POSITION WITH ITS OUTER SURFACE FACING UPWARDLY AND WITH ONE END PORTION THEREOF ALIGNED WITH AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THE DESIRED ERECTED POSITION OF THE SAID END PORTION, PROVIDING A PANEL ERECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING A BEAM MEMBER ENGAGEABLE AT A LOWER END PORTION WITH SAID ONE END PORTION OF THE PANEL SO AS TO EXTEND UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND ALSO COMPRISING CONNECTING MEANS SECURED AT ONE END PORTION TO THE BEAM IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID LOWER END PORTION THEREOF AND CONNECTIBLE AT AN OPPOSITE END PORTION WITH AN ENGAGED PANEL, ATTCHING SAID OPPOSITE END PORTION OF SAID CONNECTING 